During the Vancouver Olympics last winter, the city threw all barriers aside and did its best to convince everyone coming downtown to do so without their cars. Dozens of extra bike lanes were created, transit schedules were pushed to their limits and entire streets were set aside for pedestrians.

And it was an enormous success.

"Bike trips increased substantially, approaching summer volumes," said Jerry Dobrovolny, director of transportation for the city of Vancouver. "The Olympics proved to us that we can see high cycling volumes in February if the weather is nice."

And it's that kind of attitude that is becoming increasingly common in cities across Canada: If accommodations are made for active and alternative transportation, people get out of their cars.

But exercise and reduced congestion aren't the only reason Canadian cities are getting on board the alternative transportation bandwagon.

A report from Canadian Property Managers, an industry magazine for real estate moguls, found that proximity to public transit raises property values significantly.

"In studies conducted across North America, the values of homes in neighbourhoods close to mass transit had premiums ranging between 3% and 40%, depending on the different types of housing and socioeconomic positions of the real estate owners," the report reads.

It's also good for tourists. Iris Tse, born in Edmonton but now living in Toronto, toured Montreal with a friend over the summer and found that the city's bike rental service, Bixi, was the best way to see the city.

"For $5, I get to use the bike for 24 hours, picking it up and dropping it off at various spots across the city. The bikes even have a little basket for a purse or a bit of groceries. I don't have to fumble with bike locks, I don't have to worry about the bike being stolen, I don't have to pay an expensive deposit and I don't have to join a membership," she said. "It's great."

And the success of Bixi is spreading. Toronto is producing a membership-based version of the bike-rental service and Edmonton is now calling for up to 500 km of bike routes to be laid in the city in the next eight years.

"Communities that are bicycle friendly are seen as places with a high quality of life. This often translates into increased property values, business growth and increased tourism," Edmonton's 2009 report read.

And if the city of Vancouver is any example, once it's proven that cars aren't the only way to get around, going green remains a consistent choice for many people. The city already has 1,300 km of designated bike lanes throughout the city, and more are still being added.

"As a result of this increase in cycling, we no longer refer to summer-time and winter-time cycling volumes. We now refer to it as dry and wet weather volumes," Dobrovolny said.

Bicycle gear

If you're going to be riding around everywhere, your old mountain bike just won't cut it anymore. Electra's Straight 8 3i (from $829.99) for men is a cruiser crafted from aluminum, with a sleek look you'll be proud to call your own. For women, Electra's Hawaii 3i (from $549.99) has prettiness down pat, with a steel frame that will whiz through bike lanes.

Helmets may do a number on your hair, but wearing one is always a good idea. To look a bit cooler, try out Yakkay's cool designs - like the Tokyo New Jazz Helmet that look like a colourful fedora, or the Paris Herringbone that doesn't just seem like a pageboy cap - it also comes with earflaps for chilly temperatures.

If you're opting to bike in colder weather, you know the importance of a good fitting jacket. Calgary-based Riyoko offers this fabulous on-or-off-bike Riding Blazer ($235) for fall and spring, complete with vents and zippers for breathability, and a wind collar to fend off gusts. For gentlemen, stylish Swedish label J.Lindeberg has the Dreyden blazer ($696), a piece that may look sleek and office-friendly off the bike, but is made of a tech stretch wool to wick away sweat, and features a handy reflective stripe just below the collar. Visit Riyoko.ca and Jlindeberg.com for more information.